Wed, May 18, 2022 at 10:06 PM

I read a random instagram post that goes somewhat like this-

Imagine that the newspaper that arrives on your doorstep each morning tells a different story than the one your neighbours got. Imagine you and each of your neighbours receive personalized news with a completely different focus, agenda and angle. Fortunately, the paper that arrives at your home is in complete agreement with you. It's tailored to mirror the minutiae of your every thought, because the people who write your version know you really well. If you peaked inside the houses on your street, each neighbour would be sipping their morning chai/coffee as they read the paper, nodding their head, thinking, "I completely agree. I can't fathom how any decent person would think otherwise." Their minds quickly become oversaturated with their own opinions which they hold as objective truths. Each person's warped perspective leaves them misinformed and extremely fragile to opposing viewpoints.

That situation described above is not hypothetical, but the present reality of social media and the internet. Our preferences are stored by algorithms that affirm our opinions in order to win over our time, energy and attention. We end up with some dopamine hits and a god complex. We would be concerned if our physical newspaper were completely different, but we expect nothing less of our phones. To combat this, I've started seeking out a thorough understanding of perspectives that I don't fully understand or agree with. Sitting with the discomfort of disagreement requires a great deal of humility, and it's a process for sure.

I would like to explore 2 brief case studies on contrasting POVs.

Case #1: In a relationship, when disagreement happens, is it fruitful to fight over it just for the sake of arguing? (as it mostly happens in the spur of the moment) or does it make more sense to sit down, talk, communicate and understand the other person's perspective? Clearing out your thoughts and getting to know the other person's thought process. Tackling it as a "People vs the problem" rather than a "you vs me" problem.

Case #2: When working/interviewing anywhere, be it with your boss or a colleague, you are being hired for your thought process and the way your brain works. That's your worth. Always agreeing with what the other person says undermines your own skill and makes it one less mind working towards solving the problem.

Disagreeing is not a negative thing. It is often portrayed as such and may feel like it. But disagreement is so much more than that. It helps us understand perspectives other than our own. Helps us question the status quo.

As the saying goes, "May I seek to understand more than I seek to be understood".

So, speak up and voice your opinion.

Especially when you disagree.

Seek to understand rather than undermine the differing perspective. It's definitely worth it.

P.S. Here's something you may or may not like. Lyrics are highly relatable and it's my jam for the week :)

Best, Shreya